Following the (re-) introduction of multiparty systems in Africa in the early 1990s, third and fourth elections in Africa's new democracies and hybrid regimes are now being seen. Although there is a large and growing literature on democracy and elections in Africa, research on political parties and party systems in Africa is still in its infancy. Various contributions in this volume address the theoretical and conceptual challenges provided by the African parties and party systems with their particular features of weak organization, informal relationships dominated by 'big men' and clientelism within a neopatrimonial setting. Others raise the crucial question of representation in relation to ethnicity, civil society and gender. Further chapters ask questions about the appropriate electoral system for the multiethnic context in Africa and deal with the problem of electoral system reform. Finally, there are chapters which focus on the neglected area of electoral violence, and the moral role of money and vote buying. An important conclusion is that party research in Africa needs more conceptual clarity as well as empirical research particularly on party organization, voting behavior, and the role of ethnicity. The volume is written for academics and graduate students in Comparative Politics, Party Research, Electoral and African Studies. It will also be useful for professionals dealing with Africa in (political) development assistance.
